Citizen Kane

Citizen Kane is a 1941 American drama film, won an Academy Award for Best Writing (Original Screenplay). The movie is critically acclaimed, and it is often considered the greatest of all time and particularly praised for its innovative cinematography, music and narrative structure.

The leading stars are Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore ,Everett Sloane, Ray Collins ,George Coulouris ,Agnes Moorehead ,Paul Stewart ,Ruth Warrick,Erskine Sanford and William Alland. Welles, then 25 years old, coscripted, starred in, and directed this psychological study of an American newspaper tycoon. His innovative expressionistic use of sound and camera techniques greatly influenced later filmmakers.
 

The film opens with the death of Kane as he utters his dying word, Rosebud. Extreme close-ups, quick cuts between images, and unusual camera angles heighten the mystery of this highly significant moment. Throughout the film a reporter explores Kane's life, hoping to uncover the meaning of Kane's dying word. Only at the very last moment is the mystery revealed.
 
 As I see it, I 'd like to give 3 out 5 to the movie because it was not fascinating enough and colorless. The movie has a profound meaning but I cannot make a thorough understanding. However, I appreciate the ironic expressions used by the director. For example, when Susan, Kane's second wife, was singsing a very high note and almost shouted herself hoarse, the scene cut to a light bulb, which went out gradually. In addition, Kane was a tricky profiteer, and he had seen too much of the world, but he still yearn for the purity of childhood,which he had abandoned unwillingly, somewhere inside his heart. I think it is really pitiable. On the other hand, I see the similarity between Kane and the reporter who insisted on finding the truth of Rose Bud. Though he was another journalist prompted by profit, he must learn something good just like sincerity from his tough interview.
 
I don't like the film, but I'd like to recommend it to those who like profound movies.
 
Quotes

Kane (dying words): “Rosebud.”
Kane (to reporters): “I am, have been and only will be one thing—an American.”
Kane: “Mr. Carter, if the headline is big enough, it makes the news big enough.”
Thanks for Microsoft ? Encarta ? 2009. ? 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizen_Kane